Q&A for How to Castle in Chess

Castle on the opposite of your opponent for a game with more attacks, or castle on the same side as your opponent for a more peaceful game.

In regular chess, there is no time limit. "Speed chess" is a variant game in which each player has a total allotted time for all of his/her moves and thus would want to move as quickly as possible.

No, castling always involves the king and a rook.

Yes, both the king and the rook can move anytime after castling.

The letters identify the files. The numbers identify the ranks. Each square is identified by a specific letter/number combination. This system makes it easier for players to communicate with each other regarding past, present or future moves.

You may be thinking of a pawn's two-square opening move. A king never moves two squares except in castling.

No, when castling the king cannot move from, through or to a square in which he is in check.

Yes, if there are no other pieces in between the king and the rook. Both the king and the rook have to be in their original starting position for this to happen.

Ordinarily, a king cannot get close enough to the opposing queen to capture her. However, if a queen is "pinned" to a square (because she is protecting her king), the opponent's king could move into an adjacent square and then capture her if she's unprotected.

Yes, it is. Move your king to g1 or c1, and your rook to f1 or d1. In chess programs, move your king and the program will automatically move your rook.

Yes. However, you should not castle to a square where you could be attacked or castle when a major piece is under attack.

Long castling as white is less common than short castling. In the Sicilian or the Center Game, there are possibilities for white to do long castles.

Many chess players do that to avoid back-rank checkmate. However, as you get more advanced, playing h3 just for the purpose of avoiding back-rank checkmate is a waste of a move. Be attentive for back-rank checkmate instead, and don't waste a move just trying to prevent it from happening.

No, pawns are only allowed to move two squares on their first move. They can only be moved on square at a time after that.

It's the same meaning for castling. Double castling = castling. But most of the players call double castling for queen side castling.

If your king is in check, and you moved another piece, then it is completely an illegal move. There are 2 chances of illegals.

No. You can castle only the king in the chess board. You can chose one of the sides, king side and queen side.

Yes. Otherwise you will play an illegal move. If you touch the king first, it's okay and you can castle. If you touch the rook, you can't castle. You have to move the rook somewhere. And also remember, after moving one of the pieces, king or rook, you can't castle again even when it is back in the same square.

Castling involves the king and a rook. As mentioned, there are many rules to castling: The first is that you may only castle if you haven't moved your king and your rook (on the side where you want to castle). The second rule is that no piece can be between your king and the rook on the side where you want to castle.

Castling queenside is just what it sounds like. You have to castle but towards the queenside. All spaces between the king and the queenside rook should be empty, meaning you should have developed your queen, knight and bishop.

All of these cases are dependent on the fact that immediately after you make your move, the king is not in check. Therefore, you may capture the queen so long as the king is no longer in check after you make your move. I have seen this called ABC rule (Away, Block, Capture) in few books.

There are a lot of openings that you can try. Try Queen's gambit as white. It takes long castles. King's gambit gives short castles.

No, if the king moves before castling, then you can’t castle. So, castle first, then move your king.

No. In official games you are not required to say "check" though some players will in tournaments. Some players say that it breaks the silent atmosphere of the tournament hall and may consider it bad manners. In friendly games, many players will say "check" though some do not. All in all, it's not required but many players say "check".

I assume so. The way it usually works is that you click your king and click the second space away from him. It will automatically castle.